The Sympathizer

Identity. After reading Viet Thanh Nguyen’s novel titled, The Sympathizer, I understand why it won the 2016 Pulitzer Prize for Fiction. This novel is like a piece of music in which each part contributes a unique element to the whole, and the result is a complexity and harmony that should resonate for most readers. This is a presentation of the Vietnam War from the point of view of a Vietnamese American in which all parties are held accountable. Nguyen presents love and betrayal alongside the defining elements of identity that provides the core theme for the novel. The pleasure of reading a digital version of this work is that I was able to search and discover that Nguyen uses the phrase “crapulent major” seventy six times, and “affectless lieutenant” twenty three times. That repetition became an example for me of the comparison to music: the phrases provided an expected and harmonious rhythm that I came to anticipate as the novel progressed. Rating: Four-star (I like it) Click here to purchase The Sympathizer from amazon.com.

Conclave

Humans. I did not expect that a novel about Catholic cardinals gathering to elect a new Pope would be so much fun to read. Thanks to Robert Harris’ writing skill, his novel titled, Conclave, entertained me from beginning to end for several reasons. Harris ignores the external images of the conclave process being a somber and deliberative ritual and brings us into the messy human behavior of flawed people, just like us, who are at the conclave and just happen to be cardinals. Harris shows the political jockeying for votes, the regional and doctrinal factions, and some personal issues from the past of these very fallible cardinals who are striving to become Pope. As the balloting went on over many days, I couldn’t put the novel aside because I was so interested in seeing how Harris would wrap things up, especially in what would happen with the surprise cardinal who arrived at the conclave unknown and unexpected. I was delighted by the ending, and entertained throughout. Rating: Four-star (I like it) Click here to purchase Conclave from amazon.com.

The Mothers

Regret. Brit Bennett draws readers into the connected lives of three main characters in her debut novel titled, The Mothers. We meet Nadia, Luke and Aubrey as teens and stay with them for about a decade. Bennett links them to a church community and the mothers of that church provide a motif for how the community reflects on what behaviors are observed. The abundance of mothers in the book and the different forms of mothering call attention to a variety of decisions that are made, some of which lead to deep and lasting regret. Having set the relationship trio as the plot structure for the book, Bennett uses her skills at writing fine prose to keep readers engaged and thinking about these interesting characters and the long-term consequences of youthful decisions. Rating: Four-star (I like it) Click here to purchase The Mothers from amazon.com.

The Rains

Invasion. I couldn’t let the year end without reading at least one zombie novel. I think I chose wisely in selecting Gregg Hurwitz’ book titled, The Rains. Aliens hitchhike on asteroids, land on earth, implant themselves in human shells and begin to invade and occupy Earth and all its inhabitants. A remnant of children survives and Hurwitz develops the plot using their survival as momentum. What’s not to like? For those squeamish readers when it comes to violence and gore, there may be too many pages packed with description meant to forestall any semblance of comfortable sleep at night. For readers who like this genre that it targeted to young readers, there’s some good writing to enjoy in this novel and an exciting story that is just getting started. Rating: Four-star (I like it) Click here to purchase The Rains from amazon.com.

No Man's Land

Weaponized. I have to admit that the dialogue in the fourth novel in the John Puller series by David Baldacci titled, No Man’s Land, made my eyes roll often. While Baldacci uses dialogue to contribute to exposition, he doesn’t seem to have an ear for the way people really talk. For readers and fans who can set that aside, this action-packed novel will provide a lot of escapist pleasure. There’s a Puller family story at the core of the novel, and a character, Paul Rogers, who has been the subject of a government program gone awry. Rogers’ body and mind were configured as weapons. Uncovering the who and why behind that as well as the Puller family connection, occupy over four hundred meandering pages. Readers who like this author and this series are those most likely to appreciate this novel. Rating: Three-star (It’s ok) Click here to purchase No Man’s Land from amazon.com.

Harry Potter and the Cursed Child, Parts 1 & 2

Time. The eighth book in the Harry Potter series titled, Harry Potter and the Cursed Child, Parts I & II, is the script of a play set two decades after the last novel. Harry’s son, Albus, is at Hogwarts, and the play delves into the theme of parents and children, while using the structure of time to move the action. I liked it well enough for what it is: something different in form, structure and time period. I didn’t hate it much for what it isn’t: a big sprawling novel that absorbs one’s total attention like the earlier installments, a book I might have enjoyed more than this one. Rating: Four-star (I like it) Click here to purchase Harry Potter and the Cursed Child from amazon.com.

The Language of Secrets

Poetry. The second novel in the series featuring detectives Rachel Getty and Esa Khattak by Ausma Zehanat Khan is titled, The Language of Secrets. It’s not often that poetry becomes a key component of a crime novel, but that’s the case in this Canadian detective procedural. Khan continues to develop the characters of these interesting and complex protagonists. The plot pacing will please most readers, and the subject matter is serious and thoughtfully presented. Readers who enjoy intelligent crime fiction are those most likely to enjoy this novel. Rating: Four-star (I like it) Click here to purchase The Language of Secrets from amazon.com.